Lawsuit against the School District Proceeds

It did not have to be this way. Guy Fischer only wants a safe environment where his son can attend school without fear of harassment. But unfortunately the school district has not done enough in Mr. Fischer’s mind to assure this.

On November 10, we broke this story, as I happened to be at a Davis Human Relations Commissions meeting where Harper Junior High School Principal David Inns gave a report about this incident that indicated that they had taken care of it and parent Guy Fischer came in and said that everything was not taken care of and they do not believe that their son is safe attending school. Since then this issue was brought up at the Davis City Council and School Board Meetings, received front page coverage in the Davis Enterprise, and now has been covered on at least two news broadcasts in Sacramento.

The Fischers said the school has done little to help alleviate an atmosphere where homophobic harassment is tolerated. “We have given them every opportunity to make it safe for Zachary to come back to school and they have failed to do that,” said Fischer.

According to a Sacramento ABC News 10 report last night,

“Zachary Fischer says on more than 23 occasions, students used vile and offensive language, even after he reported the incidents to administrators.”

Some of the worst things we cannot even repeat here, but they are quite vile and horrifying that Junior High School students would utter such things.

But district officials said that isn’t true. “We feel very badly that a student was harassed and yet we also feel that we work very hard to make sure it doesn’t happen or when we hear about it we stop it happening immediately,” said Associate Superintendent Ginni Davis. She said that several students involved in the harassment were suspended and the parents of about a dozen others were notified so they could reprimand their own children. In addition, the principal of Harper Junior High, David Inns, said he held an assembly to inform all the students that such language is neither appropriate nor will it be tolerated.

Unfortunately, we sound like a broken record on this incident. Get Zachary Fischer back in school and worry about the rest later. It is that simple. The school district needs to make this happen. They needed to make this happen on November 11, 2006 and they need to make this happen on December 8, 2006. The lawsuit now complicates this process, but for the sake of the welfare of the student, the school district should work with the family to get the student back into school.

Please view the video of the news broadcast from Sacramento News 10 from Thursday evening.

—Doug Paul Davis reporting

Author

  • David Greenwald

    Greenwald is the founder, editor, and executive director of the Davis Vanguard. He founded the Vanguard in 2006. David Greenwald moved to Davis in 1996 to attend Graduate School at UC Davis in Political Science. He lives in South Davis with his wife Cecilia Escamilla Greenwald and three children.

    View all posts

Categories:

Civil Rights

84 comments

  1. I have been following this story very closely since it began. After seeing the News 10 report, I am quite disturbed. I am disturbed by the administration and school board personnel, because it is obvious to me how Ginni Davis’s remarks and facial expresions clearly show how cavalier they are regarding the matter, and in all cases where she has addressed the issue I have yet to hear any new statements on any additional improvements on addressing the on going issues. All I have heard is that they have done an assembly and suspended 2 kids out of 14, 5 received detention and the remaining talked to. Where is the proactive part to correct the issues in the future? Why have they not done more to allow the student to feel safe to return to school? Why does the family feel like they have to file a law suite?

    To compound the issue, Keltie Jones School Board President, stated on the news report that “as long as people dont agree with the life style their will always be remarks” This sounds like acceptance to allowing taunting and harassment to me. This sounds as if it should be allowed to continue. Because black people have darker skin, should they have to be tolerant to racial slurs and racial profiling? I THINK NOT!!!! THEIR IS NO DIFFERENCE IN MY OPINION.

    Lets think about something for a second, our elected school board has the power to change these problems, they have the control over our school site administrators and District officials, yet they sit on their hands and idelly let it take place with little or no action. From a third party perspective, I see a lot of smoke and mirrors, with virtually no true corrective action regarding this matter.

    Further more, I have just learned that at the break of the School
    Board meeting for which Mr. Fischer and his son spoke, that Assistant Superintendent Ginni Davis, approached an Administrative Law Judge from PFLAG and tried to persuide him to agree with her that is was not appropriate that the student spoke at the meeting, and hinted that the parents for allowing him to be exposed was poor parenting and was looking for support for this motion. I find this to be disturbing that the school district would stup to such a low, that they would attempt to slight the parents for allowing their almost 14 year old son to speak his mind and share with the community on how this has effected him. I believe it is most important that all of us know how the young man has been affected and who better to share those feelings. Perhaps the school district should put this kind of energy into cleaning their own home.

    On a final note, I support this family and all that they have stood up too. I commend them for their courage and ability to let others know and they are not willing to allow the school district and or site to continue their obscene practices. Its about high time this type of garbage stops and we as a community should support this family and patron their business to show they are welcomed regardless.

  2. I have been following this story very closely since it began. After seeing the News 10 report, I am quite disturbed. I am disturbed by the administration and school board personnel, because it is obvious to me how Ginni Davis’s remarks and facial expresions clearly show how cavalier they are regarding the matter, and in all cases where she has addressed the issue I have yet to hear any new statements on any additional improvements on addressing the on going issues. All I have heard is that they have done an assembly and suspended 2 kids out of 14, 5 received detention and the remaining talked to. Where is the proactive part to correct the issues in the future? Why have they not done more to allow the student to feel safe to return to school? Why does the family feel like they have to file a law suite?

    To compound the issue, Keltie Jones School Board President, stated on the news report that “as long as people dont agree with the life style their will always be remarks” This sounds like acceptance to allowing taunting and harassment to me. This sounds as if it should be allowed to continue. Because black people have darker skin, should they have to be tolerant to racial slurs and racial profiling? I THINK NOT!!!! THEIR IS NO DIFFERENCE IN MY OPINION.

    Lets think about something for a second, our elected school board has the power to change these problems, they have the control over our school site administrators and District officials, yet they sit on their hands and idelly let it take place with little or no action. From a third party perspective, I see a lot of smoke and mirrors, with virtually no true corrective action regarding this matter.

    Further more, I have just learned that at the break of the School
    Board meeting for which Mr. Fischer and his son spoke, that Assistant Superintendent Ginni Davis, approached an Administrative Law Judge from PFLAG and tried to persuide him to agree with her that is was not appropriate that the student spoke at the meeting, and hinted that the parents for allowing him to be exposed was poor parenting and was looking for support for this motion. I find this to be disturbing that the school district would stup to such a low, that they would attempt to slight the parents for allowing their almost 14 year old son to speak his mind and share with the community on how this has effected him. I believe it is most important that all of us know how the young man has been affected and who better to share those feelings. Perhaps the school district should put this kind of energy into cleaning their own home.

    On a final note, I support this family and all that they have stood up too. I commend them for their courage and ability to let others know and they are not willing to allow the school district and or site to continue their obscene practices. Its about high time this type of garbage stops and we as a community should support this family and patron their business to show they are welcomed regardless.

  3. I have been following this story very closely since it began. After seeing the News 10 report, I am quite disturbed. I am disturbed by the administration and school board personnel, because it is obvious to me how Ginni Davis’s remarks and facial expresions clearly show how cavalier they are regarding the matter, and in all cases where she has addressed the issue I have yet to hear any new statements on any additional improvements on addressing the on going issues. All I have heard is that they have done an assembly and suspended 2 kids out of 14, 5 received detention and the remaining talked to. Where is the proactive part to correct the issues in the future? Why have they not done more to allow the student to feel safe to return to school? Why does the family feel like they have to file a law suite?

    To compound the issue, Keltie Jones School Board President, stated on the news report that “as long as people dont agree with the life style their will always be remarks” This sounds like acceptance to allowing taunting and harassment to me. This sounds as if it should be allowed to continue. Because black people have darker skin, should they have to be tolerant to racial slurs and racial profiling? I THINK NOT!!!! THEIR IS NO DIFFERENCE IN MY OPINION.

    Lets think about something for a second, our elected school board has the power to change these problems, they have the control over our school site administrators and District officials, yet they sit on their hands and idelly let it take place with little or no action. From a third party perspective, I see a lot of smoke and mirrors, with virtually no true corrective action regarding this matter.

    Further more, I have just learned that at the break of the School
    Board meeting for which Mr. Fischer and his son spoke, that Assistant Superintendent Ginni Davis, approached an Administrative Law Judge from PFLAG and tried to persuide him to agree with her that is was not appropriate that the student spoke at the meeting, and hinted that the parents for allowing him to be exposed was poor parenting and was looking for support for this motion. I find this to be disturbing that the school district would stup to such a low, that they would attempt to slight the parents for allowing their almost 14 year old son to speak his mind and share with the community on how this has effected him. I believe it is most important that all of us know how the young man has been affected and who better to share those feelings. Perhaps the school district should put this kind of energy into cleaning their own home.

    On a final note, I support this family and all that they have stood up too. I commend them for their courage and ability to let others know and they are not willing to allow the school district and or site to continue their obscene practices. Its about high time this type of garbage stops and we as a community should support this family and patron their business to show they are welcomed regardless.

  4. I have been following this story very closely since it began. After seeing the News 10 report, I am quite disturbed. I am disturbed by the administration and school board personnel, because it is obvious to me how Ginni Davis’s remarks and facial expresions clearly show how cavalier they are regarding the matter, and in all cases where she has addressed the issue I have yet to hear any new statements on any additional improvements on addressing the on going issues. All I have heard is that they have done an assembly and suspended 2 kids out of 14, 5 received detention and the remaining talked to. Where is the proactive part to correct the issues in the future? Why have they not done more to allow the student to feel safe to return to school? Why does the family feel like they have to file a law suite?

    To compound the issue, Keltie Jones School Board President, stated on the news report that “as long as people dont agree with the life style their will always be remarks” This sounds like acceptance to allowing taunting and harassment to me. This sounds as if it should be allowed to continue. Because black people have darker skin, should they have to be tolerant to racial slurs and racial profiling? I THINK NOT!!!! THEIR IS NO DIFFERENCE IN MY OPINION.

    Lets think about something for a second, our elected school board has the power to change these problems, they have the control over our school site administrators and District officials, yet they sit on their hands and idelly let it take place with little or no action. From a third party perspective, I see a lot of smoke and mirrors, with virtually no true corrective action regarding this matter.

    Further more, I have just learned that at the break of the School
    Board meeting for which Mr. Fischer and his son spoke, that Assistant Superintendent Ginni Davis, approached an Administrative Law Judge from PFLAG and tried to persuide him to agree with her that is was not appropriate that the student spoke at the meeting, and hinted that the parents for allowing him to be exposed was poor parenting and was looking for support for this motion. I find this to be disturbing that the school district would stup to such a low, that they would attempt to slight the parents for allowing their almost 14 year old son to speak his mind and share with the community on how this has effected him. I believe it is most important that all of us know how the young man has been affected and who better to share those feelings. Perhaps the school district should put this kind of energy into cleaning their own home.

    On a final note, I support this family and all that they have stood up too. I commend them for their courage and ability to let others know and they are not willing to allow the school district and or site to continue their obscene practices. Its about high time this type of garbage stops and we as a community should support this family and patron their business to show they are welcomed regardless.

  5. On the News 10 report they stated that the school held an assembly which stated that harassment would not be tolerated. Well that is not exactly factual. I attended this assembly at the school and even though the Principal David Inns may have used those words he followed it up with “You MAY be suspended” which does not give a clear message to the students whats so ever. What part of MAY shows NO TOLERANCE? Which part of MAY states ZERO TOLERANCE?

    Additionally the school was to hold in room discussions during the students 3rd period home room. The district coordinator Mel Lewis had provided a guideline for which to be followed during these discussions and it was to be interactive, and all 44 minutes of the class should have been utilized. It has been reported by 3 independent students from 3 seperate classes that this did not take place, i.e. both 9th graders stated in their 2 classes that the teacher spoke of the issue for approx. 1 minute and simply said that its not ok. The 3rd student an 8th grader stated they did not discuss the matter at all, zero, zilch, nodda.

    MMMMmmmmm in listening to the school administration, one should question their true motives and handling of this matter.

    We as a community should not tolerate such ignorance. If you are a parent of a student, you should question your child and afford them the opportunity to speak up and support them with loving arms. You should let others know if your child has been subjected to any issues. As parents you should step forward and present any issues that your family has had to tolerate because the school or district have brushed you off.

    This family has opened the door for anyone with a problem to come forward and make it known. This is your opportunity to make a difference, this is your opportunity to make a stand, this is your opportunity to make a positive change in your childs life as well as every other students life within our “progressive community”

    Do not fear, you will be supported and remember you have the moral obligation to your children.

    I urge everyone not to allow the school district to bully you!!

  6. The measures that the school board have put in place to alleviate the vebal harrassment of this youngster need to be scrupulously adhered to by the school prinicple and his staff. Can someone please post an alternative short WORKABLE list of corrective measures that would immediately eliminate the verbal harrassment of this youngster as he moves from class to class?

  7. On the News 10 report they stated that the school held an assembly which stated that harassment would not be tolerated. Well that is not exactly factual. I attended this assembly at the school and even though the Principal David Inns may have used those words he followed it up with “You MAY be suspended” which does not give a clear message to the students whats so ever. What part of MAY shows NO TOLERANCE? Which part of MAY states ZERO TOLERANCE?

    Additionally the school was to hold in room discussions during the students 3rd period home room. The district coordinator Mel Lewis had provided a guideline for which to be followed during these discussions and it was to be interactive, and all 44 minutes of the class should have been utilized. It has been reported by 3 independent students from 3 seperate classes that this did not take place, i.e. both 9th graders stated in their 2 classes that the teacher spoke of the issue for approx. 1 minute and simply said that its not ok. The 3rd student an 8th grader stated they did not discuss the matter at all, zero, zilch, nodda.

    MMMMmmmmm in listening to the school administration, one should question their true motives and handling of this matter.

    We as a community should not tolerate such ignorance. If you are a parent of a student, you should question your child and afford them the opportunity to speak up and support them with loving arms. You should let others know if your child has been subjected to any issues. As parents you should step forward and present any issues that your family has had to tolerate because the school or district have brushed you off.

    This family has opened the door for anyone with a problem to come forward and make it known. This is your opportunity to make a difference, this is your opportunity to make a stand, this is your opportunity to make a positive change in your childs life as well as every other students life within our “progressive community”

    Do not fear, you will be supported and remember you have the moral obligation to your children.

    I urge everyone not to allow the school district to bully you!!

  8. The measures that the school board have put in place to alleviate the vebal harrassment of this youngster need to be scrupulously adhered to by the school prinicple and his staff. Can someone please post an alternative short WORKABLE list of corrective measures that would immediately eliminate the verbal harrassment of this youngster as he moves from class to class?

  9. On the News 10 report they stated that the school held an assembly which stated that harassment would not be tolerated. Well that is not exactly factual. I attended this assembly at the school and even though the Principal David Inns may have used those words he followed it up with “You MAY be suspended” which does not give a clear message to the students whats so ever. What part of MAY shows NO TOLERANCE? Which part of MAY states ZERO TOLERANCE?

    Additionally the school was to hold in room discussions during the students 3rd period home room. The district coordinator Mel Lewis had provided a guideline for which to be followed during these discussions and it was to be interactive, and all 44 minutes of the class should have been utilized. It has been reported by 3 independent students from 3 seperate classes that this did not take place, i.e. both 9th graders stated in their 2 classes that the teacher spoke of the issue for approx. 1 minute and simply said that its not ok. The 3rd student an 8th grader stated they did not discuss the matter at all, zero, zilch, nodda.

    MMMMmmmmm in listening to the school administration, one should question their true motives and handling of this matter.

    We as a community should not tolerate such ignorance. If you are a parent of a student, you should question your child and afford them the opportunity to speak up and support them with loving arms. You should let others know if your child has been subjected to any issues. As parents you should step forward and present any issues that your family has had to tolerate because the school or district have brushed you off.

    This family has opened the door for anyone with a problem to come forward and make it known. This is your opportunity to make a difference, this is your opportunity to make a stand, this is your opportunity to make a positive change in your childs life as well as every other students life within our “progressive community”

    Do not fear, you will be supported and remember you have the moral obligation to your children.

    I urge everyone not to allow the school district to bully you!!

  10. The measures that the school board have put in place to alleviate the vebal harrassment of this youngster need to be scrupulously adhered to by the school prinicple and his staff. Can someone please post an alternative short WORKABLE list of corrective measures that would immediately eliminate the verbal harrassment of this youngster as he moves from class to class?

  11. On the News 10 report they stated that the school held an assembly which stated that harassment would not be tolerated. Well that is not exactly factual. I attended this assembly at the school and even though the Principal David Inns may have used those words he followed it up with “You MAY be suspended” which does not give a clear message to the students whats so ever. What part of MAY shows NO TOLERANCE? Which part of MAY states ZERO TOLERANCE?

    Additionally the school was to hold in room discussions during the students 3rd period home room. The district coordinator Mel Lewis had provided a guideline for which to be followed during these discussions and it was to be interactive, and all 44 minutes of the class should have been utilized. It has been reported by 3 independent students from 3 seperate classes that this did not take place, i.e. both 9th graders stated in their 2 classes that the teacher spoke of the issue for approx. 1 minute and simply said that its not ok. The 3rd student an 8th grader stated they did not discuss the matter at all, zero, zilch, nodda.

    MMMMmmmmm in listening to the school administration, one should question their true motives and handling of this matter.

    We as a community should not tolerate such ignorance. If you are a parent of a student, you should question your child and afford them the opportunity to speak up and support them with loving arms. You should let others know if your child has been subjected to any issues. As parents you should step forward and present any issues that your family has had to tolerate because the school or district have brushed you off.

    This family has opened the door for anyone with a problem to come forward and make it known. This is your opportunity to make a difference, this is your opportunity to make a stand, this is your opportunity to make a positive change in your childs life as well as every other students life within our “progressive community”

    Do not fear, you will be supported and remember you have the moral obligation to your children.

    I urge everyone not to allow the school district to bully you!!

  12. The measures that the school board have put in place to alleviate the vebal harrassment of this youngster need to be scrupulously adhered to by the school prinicple and his staff. Can someone please post an alternative short WORKABLE list of corrective measures that would immediately eliminate the verbal harrassment of this youngster as he moves from class to class?

  13. One thing I learned in watching the News 10 report last night was that Zachary Fischer himself was suspended last year for making racist remarks aimed at black children. This has probably been reported elsewhere, but I missed it.

    That fact got me to wondering if there is not a racial element to this harrassment: are some of those accused of harrassing Zachary Fischer black? Is it possible that those kids were coming back at Zachary in retaliation for his calling them “N***ers”?

    And because he was suspended for three days for calling black kids the N-word, maybe the district believes that it would be improper to suspend the retaliators any more time than that? If they did — say they expelled those who called Zachary “gay” — might the district be liable for a civil rights case in that they treated anti-gay harrassment more harshly than they did racist harrassment?

    I must say, I was pretty surprised to find that Zachary is a racist. I attended the Davis public schools from kindergarten all the way to graduation from Davis High School, and I never once heard anyone of any race use the N-word. (And I was not isolated in any way from black people.) I wonder who taught Zachary his racism? I wonder if he learned it in Davis or in some other town he has lived in?

    From my experience, kids who are themselves as wealthy as Zachary Fischer and are racists tend to be terribly maladjusted kids. It’s not the case, such as might happen with very poor whites or very poor Latinos, that black people represent some kind of competitive or physical threat. I just wonder what has happened to Zachary to make him so screwed up? It seems like this is a part of the story, and it’s not being told.

  14. One thing I learned in watching the News 10 report last night was that Zachary Fischer himself was suspended last year for making racist remarks aimed at black children. This has probably been reported elsewhere, but I missed it.

    That fact got me to wondering if there is not a racial element to this harrassment: are some of those accused of harrassing Zachary Fischer black? Is it possible that those kids were coming back at Zachary in retaliation for his calling them “N***ers”?

    And because he was suspended for three days for calling black kids the N-word, maybe the district believes that it would be improper to suspend the retaliators any more time than that? If they did — say they expelled those who called Zachary “gay” — might the district be liable for a civil rights case in that they treated anti-gay harrassment more harshly than they did racist harrassment?

    I must say, I was pretty surprised to find that Zachary is a racist. I attended the Davis public schools from kindergarten all the way to graduation from Davis High School, and I never once heard anyone of any race use the N-word. (And I was not isolated in any way from black people.) I wonder who taught Zachary his racism? I wonder if he learned it in Davis or in some other town he has lived in?

    From my experience, kids who are themselves as wealthy as Zachary Fischer and are racists tend to be terribly maladjusted kids. It’s not the case, such as might happen with very poor whites or very poor Latinos, that black people represent some kind of competitive or physical threat. I just wonder what has happened to Zachary to make him so screwed up? It seems like this is a part of the story, and it’s not being told.

  15. One thing I learned in watching the News 10 report last night was that Zachary Fischer himself was suspended last year for making racist remarks aimed at black children. This has probably been reported elsewhere, but I missed it.

    That fact got me to wondering if there is not a racial element to this harrassment: are some of those accused of harrassing Zachary Fischer black? Is it possible that those kids were coming back at Zachary in retaliation for his calling them “N***ers”?

    And because he was suspended for three days for calling black kids the N-word, maybe the district believes that it would be improper to suspend the retaliators any more time than that? If they did — say they expelled those who called Zachary “gay” — might the district be liable for a civil rights case in that they treated anti-gay harrassment more harshly than they did racist harrassment?

    I must say, I was pretty surprised to find that Zachary is a racist. I attended the Davis public schools from kindergarten all the way to graduation from Davis High School, and I never once heard anyone of any race use the N-word. (And I was not isolated in any way from black people.) I wonder who taught Zachary his racism? I wonder if he learned it in Davis or in some other town he has lived in?

    From my experience, kids who are themselves as wealthy as Zachary Fischer and are racists tend to be terribly maladjusted kids. It’s not the case, such as might happen with very poor whites or very poor Latinos, that black people represent some kind of competitive or physical threat. I just wonder what has happened to Zachary to make him so screwed up? It seems like this is a part of the story, and it’s not being told.

  16. One thing I learned in watching the News 10 report last night was that Zachary Fischer himself was suspended last year for making racist remarks aimed at black children. This has probably been reported elsewhere, but I missed it.

    That fact got me to wondering if there is not a racial element to this harrassment: are some of those accused of harrassing Zachary Fischer black? Is it possible that those kids were coming back at Zachary in retaliation for his calling them “N***ers”?

    And because he was suspended for three days for calling black kids the N-word, maybe the district believes that it would be improper to suspend the retaliators any more time than that? If they did — say they expelled those who called Zachary “gay” — might the district be liable for a civil rights case in that they treated anti-gay harrassment more harshly than they did racist harrassment?

    I must say, I was pretty surprised to find that Zachary is a racist. I attended the Davis public schools from kindergarten all the way to graduation from Davis High School, and I never once heard anyone of any race use the N-word. (And I was not isolated in any way from black people.) I wonder who taught Zachary his racism? I wonder if he learned it in Davis or in some other town he has lived in?

    From my experience, kids who are themselves as wealthy as Zachary Fischer and are racists tend to be terribly maladjusted kids. It’s not the case, such as might happen with very poor whites or very poor Latinos, that black people represent some kind of competitive or physical threat. I just wonder what has happened to Zachary to make him so screwed up? It seems like this is a part of the story, and it’s not being told.

  17. I seriously doubt the real issues involve racist kids or homophobic kids. It sounds like kids acting out because they hate each others guts for whatever reason. Social skills certainly need to be worked on.

    The lawsuit is not going to improve the situation. The adults should reduce the name calling – labeling specific kids as racist/homophobic does not help. I really do not understand why Davis adults spend so much time trying to smear the youth of Davis, without making any effort to investigate the motivation behind behavior.

  18. I seriously doubt the real issues involve racist kids or homophobic kids. It sounds like kids acting out because they hate each others guts for whatever reason. Social skills certainly need to be worked on.

    The lawsuit is not going to improve the situation. The adults should reduce the name calling – labeling specific kids as racist/homophobic does not help. I really do not understand why Davis adults spend so much time trying to smear the youth of Davis, without making any effort to investigate the motivation behind behavior.

  19. I seriously doubt the real issues involve racist kids or homophobic kids. It sounds like kids acting out because they hate each others guts for whatever reason. Social skills certainly need to be worked on.

    The lawsuit is not going to improve the situation. The adults should reduce the name calling – labeling specific kids as racist/homophobic does not help. I really do not understand why Davis adults spend so much time trying to smear the youth of Davis, without making any effort to investigate the motivation behind behavior.

  20. I seriously doubt the real issues involve racist kids or homophobic kids. It sounds like kids acting out because they hate each others guts for whatever reason. Social skills certainly need to be worked on.

    The lawsuit is not going to improve the situation. The adults should reduce the name calling – labeling specific kids as racist/homophobic does not help. I really do not understand why Davis adults spend so much time trying to smear the youth of Davis, without making any effort to investigate the motivation behind behavior.

  21. “The adults should reduce the name calling – labeling specific kids as racist/homophobic does not help.”

    Of course it’s possible that I am wrong, but I think when, in anger, a person calls someone else a n***er, the person using that word is a racist. I don’t feel admitting as much is “name-calling;” rather, it’s just facing facts.

  22. “The adults should reduce the name calling – labeling specific kids as racist/homophobic does not help.”

    Of course it’s possible that I am wrong, but I think when, in anger, a person calls someone else a n***er, the person using that word is a racist. I don’t feel admitting as much is “name-calling;” rather, it’s just facing facts.

  23. “The adults should reduce the name calling – labeling specific kids as racist/homophobic does not help.”

    Of course it’s possible that I am wrong, but I think when, in anger, a person calls someone else a n***er, the person using that word is a racist. I don’t feel admitting as much is “name-calling;” rather, it’s just facing facts.

  24. “The adults should reduce the name calling – labeling specific kids as racist/homophobic does not help.”

    Of course it’s possible that I am wrong, but I think when, in anger, a person calls someone else a n***er, the person using that word is a racist. I don’t feel admitting as much is “name-calling;” rather, it’s just facing facts.

  25. Rich:

    My understanding of that incident is as follows:

    Zach was being harassed by a black student last year, and he said under his breath the “N”, the black student heard it, reported it, and Zach was suspended. Was it wrong for Zach to do that? Yes it was. I learned his lesson (hopefully) and he will not do that again. I do not believe that that incident rises in scale to the level of this one.

  26. Rich:

    My understanding of that incident is as follows:

    Zach was being harassed by a black student last year, and he said under his breath the “N”, the black student heard it, reported it, and Zach was suspended. Was it wrong for Zach to do that? Yes it was. I learned his lesson (hopefully) and he will not do that again. I do not believe that that incident rises in scale to the level of this one.

  27. Rich:

    My understanding of that incident is as follows:

    Zach was being harassed by a black student last year, and he said under his breath the “N”, the black student heard it, reported it, and Zach was suspended. Was it wrong for Zach to do that? Yes it was. I learned his lesson (hopefully) and he will not do that again. I do not believe that that incident rises in scale to the level of this one.

  28. Rich:

    My understanding of that incident is as follows:

    Zach was being harassed by a black student last year, and he said under his breath the “N”, the black student heard it, reported it, and Zach was suspended. Was it wrong for Zach to do that? Yes it was. I learned his lesson (hopefully) and he will not do that again. I do not believe that that incident rises in scale to the level of this one.

  29. I agree with you that using the “n” word crosses the line of human decency. Furthermore I support the current effort to remove the word from “common” usage – written word, entertainment, music etc.

    However, before you begin to label people racists you better spend time looking at motivation. Kids say all sorts to terrible things to gain attention but that does not make them racist.

    This issue is all about improving the climate within a junior high school. To accomplish that, I read that some adults are calling kids racists and some adults are calling kids homophobic. These adult comments do not seem to be supported by much fact. Kids are watching you and wondering do you support name calling or are you against it. Adults have to lead by example.SAH

  30. I agree with you that using the “n” word crosses the line of human decency. Furthermore I support the current effort to remove the word from “common” usage – written word, entertainment, music etc.

    However, before you begin to label people racists you better spend time looking at motivation. Kids say all sorts to terrible things to gain attention but that does not make them racist.

    This issue is all about improving the climate within a junior high school. To accomplish that, I read that some adults are calling kids racists and some adults are calling kids homophobic. These adult comments do not seem to be supported by much fact. Kids are watching you and wondering do you support name calling or are you against it. Adults have to lead by example.SAH